Benjamin Hochman

Hochman: Point guards change the NBA game these days

We hold these truths to be self-evident that all point guards are not created equal, that they are endowed by their commissioner with certain free-agent rights, and that among these are the good life, liberty from lottery-bound teams and the pursuit of Stockton-ness.

Numerous NBA point guards have declared their independence and, on the Fourth of July, a quartet of floor quarterbacks were a bounce pass away from changing the landscape of the league.

• And Jeremy Lin could sign with the fascinating Rockets — or re-sign with the Knicks.

Here's the point about the points: Never before has the position been so potent and important. This is the era of hands-free technology and, of course, hands-free defense, which, as Nuggets coach George Karl often points out, wildly benefits the modern point guard.

Because defenders can't get away with the hand check on ballhandlers, these little guys are flourishing more than ever.

Oh, and let's not overlook the abundance of actual talent at the point guard position these days, be it Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Tony Parker or Rajon Rondo. All but Paul have recently led their teams to at least the conference finals (and Paul, arguably, is better than all of these guys).

And even here in Denver, let's be honest — Danilo Gallinari could emerge as an 18- to 20-point-per-game guy, but if point guard Ty Lawson doesn't become Denver's top player and leader, the Nuggets might not get out of the postseason's first round with him at the helm.

The last time the Nuggets were in the first round, they lost in seven games to the Lakers, whose point guard was not Steve Nash. The Lakers were trending down; now they're trending on Twitter and causing trembling in Oklahoma City. One has to believe this is an ideal fit for the ageless fast-pass Nash, who energizes an offenses with his slithering speed, who will be a fourth-quarter factor (unlike Ramon Sessions, for the most part), and, most important for those in La La Land, who will carry the backcourt load for Kobe Bryant.

Speaking of La La, Ms. Vazquez must be disappointed with the Nash news. Earlier on the Fourth of July, it appeared Nash would be traded to the Knicks.

One could argue that Carmelo Anthony plays his best basketball with a high-level point guard. In his third NBA season, his points per game jumped nearly six points while Andre Miller fed him open looks. And that following season, he had his highest-average ever (28.9), thanks to a scoring splurge before the infamous fight in, yes, New York (which was followed by the trade of Miller and others for Allen Iverson). And then, Melo flourished in the 2009 postseason with teammate Chauncey Billups at the point.

Watching the Knicks last season — specifically, watching Melo hold the basketball for a fortnight before launching a midrange jumper — many believed New York would benefit from a fast-pass floor leader such as Nash.

The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman and Chris Dempsey post analysis, notes, video and more on this blog dedicated to the Denver Nuggets.

Meanwhile, with apologies to hipsters wearing skinny jeans and ironic mustaches, the coolest guy in Brooklyn is now Williams, who deserves at least one shoutout in a song by Nets co-owner Jay-Z , say, "I run Roc-A-Fella; my fella D-Will runs the rock — his alley-oops raisin' eyebrows like Mr. Spock."

Whether Dwight Howard lands in Brooklyn remains an unknown, but even if he doesn't, the Nets could lock down big man Brook Lopez and have him along with D-Will, Johnson and Gerald Wallace, which makes for a playoff nucleus.

Every recent season, the Celtics are "too old," and every recent season, they're a couple of jumpers away from the NBA Finals (or the NBA title). A rejuvenated "Jet" will bolster Boston's bench — and makes for a devilish fourth-quarter backcourt combo with Rondo.

As for Lin, his Linsanity did wear off a little as the season progressed — he averaged 20.9 points per game and 8.4 assists in 14 February games, but 14.6 and 6.3 in 13 March games (before his season-ending Linjury). Houston is making a strong push — the Rockets, one might recall, are wildly popular (and profitable) in Asia because of Yao Ming.

ESPN.com reported that the four-year Houston offer could be backloaded — annually around $5 million, $5 million, $10 million, $10 million — which might scare off the Knicks, who have the chance to match the contract.

In perfect 2012 fashion, Houston general manager Daryl Morey took to Twitter on Wednesday in efforts to lure Lin (the Rockets famously cut Lin before he signed with New York): @dmorey: "RedNation please help me welcome @JLin7 back 2Houston today! Fitting on July4 as America is land of 2nd chances."

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story